'We'll certainly rank him!' - WBC president opens door for Chris Billam-Smith title bid

Chris Billam-Smith could return to the ring for an immediate title shot following his loss to Gilberto Ramirez earlier this month, claims WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.

The Briton suffered a second career loss in his unification bout with the Mexican, coming up short by unanimous decision atop the bill at Riyadh Season Latino Night.

• Read more | Jai Opetaia manager hints at future plans following Zurdo Ramirez's win over Chris Billam-Smith

The former WBO champion may have lost his belt to WBA title holder Zurdo, but a brave performance will still keep him firmly ranked in the upper regions with others.

That could bode well for a cruiserweight bid with the WBC, where Noel Mikaelian is champion, though legal issues have prevented a defence against Ryan Rozicki.

If and when the number one contender faces the incumbent holder however, Sulaiman believes Billam-Smith could be in line to face the winner and bid for another belt.

"I'm sure he will be highly ranked by the WBC," he was quoted by Sky Sports News. "We'll certainly rank him and he has the possibility of fighting for a title.

"The cruiserweight status right now is confusing, Mikaelian has legal procedures against his promoter Don King. That is why we had to support Rozicki.

"They had a signed contract to fight December 7. It's all a mess. [Billam-Smith] could go straight to fight the winner. There are so many moving pieces that are not known."

Ramirez meanwhile is likely poised to make a further unification bid against Jai Opetaia, who was long tipped to face the winner of Zurdo's bout with Billam-Smith.

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